Best Medicare Advantage Plans in California (2026)

SCAN Health Plan and Alignment Health Plan have the best Medicare Advantage plans in California.

Explore California Medicare Advantage plans to find the best option.

Updated: June 17, 2026

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Key Takeaways

SCAN Health Plan has the best Medicare Advantage HMO plans in California, with a 4 CMS star rating, $6 average premium and $1,615 average maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit.

Alignment Health Plan has the best Medicare Advantage HMO-POS and PPO plans in California. Alignment's HMO-POS plans average $0 monthly while its PPO plans cost $76 per month but provide greater flexibility when choosing health care providers.

When choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, compare your monthly costs, maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits, provider access and prescription coverage against your health care needs. Confirm your doctors, hospitals and medications are in-network before enrolling.

California's Medicare Advantage market has 174 plans across three plan types, one of the largest plan selections of any U.S. state. Plan availability varies by county: a carrier that operates in Los Angeles County may not offer plans in rural Northern California, which means your ZIP code determines which of these plans you can actually enroll in. Check Medicare.gov's Plan Finder with your ZIP code to confirm availability before selecting a plan.

The widest cost gap we found was inside the HMO tier. Alignment's HMO plans averaged a $7,639 MOOP despite charging $0 monthly, while SCAN's 13 plans averaged $1,615. For a beneficiary who expects to use coverage heavily, that $6,024 MOOP difference is more consequential than the $6 monthly premium gap between them.

Best Medicare Advantage Companies in California

We analyzed California's Medicare Advantage plans using CMS star ratings, monthly premiums and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits. SCAN Health Plan ranks first for HMO coverage with a $6 average monthly premium and a $1,615 average MOOP. Alignment Health Plan provides HMO-POS and PPO coverage, averaging $0 monthly on its HMO-POS plans.

California's Medicare Advantage market has 174 plans across three plan types. Alignment's HMO plans averaged a $7,639 MOOP despite charging $0 monthly, while SCAN's 13 plans averaged $1,615.


HMO	SCAN Health Plan	4.00	$6	$1,615	SCAN Select (HMO)
HMO-POS	Alignment Health Plan	4.00	$0	$998	Alignment Health Platinum + Instacart (HMO-POS)
PPO	Alignment Health Plan	4.00	$76	$3,930	Alignment Health Balance (PPO)

Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are private insurance alternatives to Original Medicare that combine hospital, medical and prescription drug coverage into one plan. These plans cover everything Original Medicare does and may add dental, vision and hearing benefits.

CMS Star Ratings: Medicare rates plans on a 1 to 5 star scale based on quality and performance. Plans with 4 stars or higher score well on customer satisfaction and care quality metrics.
Monthly premiums: You'll pay your Medicare Part B premium plus any additional plan premium. Many Medicare Advantage plans charge $0 in monthly premiums, though costs vary by coverage level and location.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: These caps limit your annual spending on covered services. Once you reach your MOOP limit, your plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the year.
Drug coverage: Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D). Check your plan's formulary to confirm your medications are covered and whether prior authorization applies.

SCAN Health Plan

Best HMO

MoneyGeek Rating

4.6/ 5

4.7/5Affordability

5/5Quality

2.6/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4
Plan Types
HMO

pros
- Eight plans at $0 monthly premium
- All 13 plans earn 4-star quality ratings
- Out-of-pocket maximums start at $466
cons
- All plans are HMOs and require specialist referrals
- Out-of-pocket maximums reach $4,500 on some plans
SCAN Health Plan leads California's HMO Medicare Advantage market with a 4 CMS star rating and a 4.61 MoneyGeek score across 13 plans. Eight plans cost $0, with MOOP limits ranging from $466 to $4,500.

SCAN Affirm and SCAN Alta are the lowest-cost options: both charge $0 and cap out-of-pocket costs below $500.
SCAN is a poor fit if you need access to specialists without a referral. Every SCAN plan is an HMO. You'll need a primary care physician to coordinate your care. If you travel frequently or split your time between California and another state, SCAN's in-network requirement will leave you paying out-of-pocket for most of your out-of-state care.

Alignment Health Plan

Best HMO-POS and PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

3/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4
Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS, PPO

pros
- 17 out of 20 plans have $0 premium
- Instacart grocery delivery and Walgreens pharmacy partnerships
- HMO, HMO-POS and PPO network options
cons
- Out-of-pocket maximums up to $9,250 on some plans
- PPO premiums ($41 to $84) vs. $0 HMO plans
Alignment Health Plan leads HMO-POS and PPO Medicare Advantage coverage in California with 20 plans, 17 of which cost $0 a month. The plan earns a 4 CMS star rating and a 4.75 average MoneyGeek score.

Alignment's HMO-POS flagship, the Platinum + Instacart plan, costs $0 with a $998 MOOP limit. The Balance PPO costs $41 per month with a $2,850 MOOP. Alignment also partners with Instacart and Walgreens for grocery delivery and pharmacy access. Its specialized plans, ValorCare and Honor+, serve specific member communities.
Alignment's PPO plans average $76 per month, and the MOOP on some plans reaches $9,250. If you're healthy, rarely use specialists and want the lowest total annual cost, an HMO from SCAN or Aetna may cost less overall. Enrollees who stay in-network can get the same 4 CMS stars at $0 through Alignment's HMO-POS plan. At $76 a month, the PPO premium is a $912 annual cost with no added value for those who never use out-of-network care.

Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plans in California

California's HMO Medicare Advantage market covers 114 plans from 16 provider, and 75 of those plans charge $0. MOOP limits average $3,043 across the HMO tier, with a range of $296 to $9,250 per MoneyGeek's Califirnia rate data. Star ratings range from 3 to 4.5, and 67 plans earn 4 stars or higher.

When we analyzed this tier, the sharpest tradeoff was between SCAN's lower MOOP limits and Alignment HMO's higher average MOOP of $7,639. SCAN Health Plan ranks first among California HMO providers with a 4.61 score. It averages $6 per month across 13 plans, all at 4 CMS stars, with a $1,615 average MOOP.


SCAN Health Plan	4.00	$6	$1,615	13	4.61
Providence Medicare Advantage Plans	4.00	$0	$400	1	4.54
Aetna	3.00	$0	$1,713	2	4.47
Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc.	3.50	$0	$296	1	4.33
Astiva Health	3.50	$0	$3,045	4	4.29
Alignment Health Plan	4.00	$0	$7,639	17	4.28
Blue Cross Blue Shield	3.94	$21	$2,969	7	4.27
Clever Care Health Plan	3.50	$0	$1,250	2	4.22
Central Health Medicare Plan	3.00	$0	$2,180	7	4.19
Humana	3.00	$6	$3,147	15	4.16

Providence Medicare Advantage Plans ranks second with a 4.54 score. Its single HMO plan costs $0, has a $400 MOOP and holds a 4-star rating. Aetna ranks third with a 4.47 score across two zero-premium plans; its average MOOP is $1,713 at a 3-star rating.

WHY CHOOSE AN HMO PLAN?

HMO plans require you to choose a primary care physician and get referrals for specialist visits, but cost less than other plan types. Choose an HMO if you prefer a smaller provider network and want lower monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Plans in California

Five providers offer 47 HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans in California; 30 earn 4 CMS star ratings and 17 earn 3 stars. MOOP limits average is $2,762, it ranges from $299 to $7,550. When MoneyGeek analyzed this tier, Alignment's single HMO-POS plan at $0 monthly and $998 MOOP, costs far less than the $3,327 average MOOP on UnitedHealthcare's 29 HMO-POS plans.

Alignment Health Plan ranks first in the HMO-POS tier with a 4.8 MoneyGeek score. Its one plan costs $0 monthly, holds a 4-star rating and caps MOOP at $998.

Aetna ranks second with a 4.29 score across seven plans. At $10 average a month and $1,594 MOOP, Aetna returns strong value for a 3-star plan. Anthem ranks third (4.14 score, nine plans, $0 premium) with a $2,674 average MOOP. UnitedHealthcare trails with a 4.0 score across 29 plans averaging $34 a month and a $3,327 MOOP.


Alignment Health Plan	4.00	$0	$998	1	4.8
Aetna	3.00	$10	$1,594	7	4.29
Anthem	3.00	$0	$2,674	9	4.14
UnitedHealthcare	4.00	$34	$3,327	29	4
Aspire Health	3.00	$366	$3,900	1	3.25

WHY CHOOSE AN HMO-POS PLAN?

HMO-POS plans combine HMO structure with the flexibility to see out-of-network providers at higher costs. These plans work for seniors who want lower premiums but occasional access to providers outside their network. Choose an HMO-POS if you primarily use in-network care but want the option to see out-of-network doctors when needed.

Best PPO Medicare Advantage Plans in California

California's 13 PPO Medicare Advantage plans give you access to any provider without a referral, at a higher cost than HMO options. Monthly premiums range from $33 to $120, with a median of $41.MOOP limits average $5,423 and range from $2,850 to $6,700. Four plans earn 4 CMS stars or higher, two of which hold 4.5-star ratings.

Alignment Health Plan ranks first in California PPO Medicare Advantage coverage with a MoneyGeek score of 5. Alignment has a 4-star CMS rating with two PPO options that average $76 per month and a $3,930 maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit.

Humana ranks second with a 4.5 MoneyGeek score. Its eight PPO plans average $33 a month, the lowest among top providers, with a $5,346 MOOP at a 3.5 CMS star rating. Aetna ranks third with a 4.28 MoneyGeek score. Its two plans average $53 per month with a $6,050 MOOP limit.


Alignment Health Plan	4.00	$76	$3,930	2	5
Humana	3.50	$33	$5,346	8	4.5
Aetna	4.50	$53	$6,050	2	4.28
UnitedHealthcare	3.50	$120	$6,700	1	3.5

In PPO scoring, Alignment's 5.0 score came from a combination of low MOOP ($3,930) and strong star ratings, not the lowest premium. Humana's eight PPO plans cost $33 per month on average, but their $5,346 average MOOP means a serious illness could cost $1,416 more out of pocket than with Alignment.

For most enrollees who anticipate using their coverage, Alignment's $3,930 MOOP ceiling justifies the $43 more per month over Humana. Enrollees who rarely use care are better served by Humana's $33 monthly rate.

WHY CHOOSE A PPO PLAN?

PPO plans cost more than HMO and HMO-POS options but give the most flexibility. You can see any provider without a referral, though staying in-network saves money. Choose a PPO if you travel frequently, want access to specialists without a primary care physician referral or have existing relationships with out-of-network doctors.

How to Choose the Best California Medicare Advantage Plan

Selecting the right Medicare Advantage plan depends on your health care needs, budget and preferred level of provider flexibility. Compare these factors when choosing plans in California:

1
Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals Are In-Network
Call your current providers to confirm they accept the plan you're considering, not just the insurance company. Networks differ between plans from the same insurer.
2
Compare Total Costs, Not Just Premiums
A $0 premium HMO plan can cost more than a $6 plan if its MOOP is $7,639 vs. $1,615. Calculate your expected annual costs using your actual usage, how many specialist visits, which prescriptions and how often you expect to use care.

Plan availability in California also varies by county. A plan that costs $0 in Los Angeles may not be offered in Fresno or Redding. After identifying your preferred plan type and provider, enter your ZIP code at Medicare.gov to confirm the plan is available where you live before comparing costs.
3
Check Prescription Drug Coverage
Check your plan's formulary to confirm your medications are covered and identify their tier. Higher tiers mean higher copays. Some plans require prior authorization for certain drugs.
4
Compare Different Plan Types
Choose an HMO plan type if you rarely see specialists and want lower costs. Pick an HMO-POS if you need occasional out-of-network access. Select a PPO if you travel frequently or want unrestricted specialist access.
5
Review Star Ratings and Quality Metrics
CMS star ratings reflect customer satisfaction, care quality and plan administration. Plans with 4 stars or higher provide better service and health outcomes.
6
Compare Extra Benefits
Many California Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, hearing, fitness memberships and over-the-counter allowances. Compare extras based on what you need most.
7
Check Out-of-Pocket Maximums
Out-of-pocket maximums cap your annual spending on covered services. Lower maximums provide better financial protection if you experience serious illness or injury, though they come with higher premiums.

How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in California?

California Medicare Advantage costs vary by plan type, per MoneyGeek's California analysis. HMO plans are cheapest: $0 median premium, $18 average per month and a $3,043 average MOOP. HMO-POS plans average $28 per month with a lower average MOOP of $2,762, despite costing more than most HMOs.

PPO plans are the most expensive tier, with average of $47 per month, median of $41. PPO MOOP limits average $5,423, about 78% higher than HMO plans, because PPO coverage lets you see out-of-network providers and specialists without a referral.


HMO	$0	$18	$3,043
HMO-POS	$0	$28	$2,762
PPO	$41	$47	$5,423

Which California Medicare Advantage Plan Is Right for You?

HMO plans carry the lowest cost exposure: SCAN averages $6 monthly with a $1,615 MOOP. Alignment wins HMO-POS for enrollees who want $0 premiums and occasional out-of-network access: its Platinum + Instacart plan caps MOOP at $998. Travelers and seniors needing out-of-network specialist access should choose a PPO. Top providers average $41 to $76 a month.

SCAN is the right HMO pick for cost-conscious enrollees who stay in-network: 4 CMS stars and a $1,615 average MOOP. It's the wrong choice if you need out-of-network specialist access or travel regularly. On PPO, Alignment's $3,930 average MOOP beats every other California provider despite costing $43 more per month than Humana.

Best California Medicare Advantage: FAQ

The questions below cover enrollment, coverage and plan comparison for California residents.

How do you get a Medicare Advantage plan in California?

You can enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) or when you first become eligible for Medicare. Visit Medicare.gov to compare plans, call insurers directly or work with a licensed insurance agent. Coverage starts Jan. 1 for fall enrollments or the first day of the month after you sign up during other qualifying periods.

What does Medicare Advantage cover?

Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare does: hospital stays (Part A) and doctor visits (Part B), plus prescription drugs (Part D) in most plans. Many California plans add dental, vision and hearing coverage, along with fitness memberships and over-the-counter allowances. You'll still pay your Medicare Part B premium in addition to any monthly plan premium.

What’s the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement?

Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with a bundled private plan covering medical care and usually prescription drugs. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare to cover costs like deductibles and copays. Medicare Advantage ties you to a provider network, while Medigap lets you see any doctor who accepts Medicare with no network restriction.

When is open enrollment for Medicare Advantage in California?

The Annual Enrollment Period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year. California also has a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from Jan. 1 to March 31 for people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. New Medicare beneficiaries get a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period around their 65th birthday.

Our Methodology: How We Ranked California's Best Medicare Advantage Plans

We analyzed 174 Medicare Advantage plans in California using 2026 CMS plan data, covering all HMO, HMO-POS and PPO options available to California beneficiaries. Data was collected in January 2026. Our scoring weights three factors:

Affordability (50%): Monthly premiums account for 30% of the score and in-network MOOP limits account for 20%. Plans with lower combined costs score higher because they reduce your total annual out-of-pocket spending.
Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings cover care effectiveness, customer service and member satisfaction on a 1 to 5 scale. The Overall Star Rating combines both Part C and Part D scores. Plans rated 4 stars or higher receive the best scores in this category.
Availability (10%): Providers are scored by how many states they serve, including Washington, D.C. Broader availability suggests greater resources for customer support and continuity of coverage if you relocate.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he produces original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). His career began in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

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Sources

CMS.gov. "Medicare Advantage Resources." Accessed June 24, 2026.
Medicare.gov. "Welcome to Medicare." Accessed June 24, 2026.